Maybe a breakthrough
Still futzing with it. I need to get all these parts together and sort through it all in one sitting rather than piecemeal. But! I met my Miniwrimo goal for every day except for one. If you count averages I met my overall goal.
Closing her eyes, she braced against the words she was about to say. If he wasn't going to say it, she had to ask. The words stuck in her throat and she swallowed against them before taking a final breath and letting them out. "What did my mother tell you about my father?" She cracked her eyes open.
Tos had a soft, perhaps bemused half-smile as if he had been waiting for her to ask before he folded his arms and leaned his shoulder into the wagon side. "She told me they both worked as translators between Kamenlohn and the Klamon. That the Kamenan grew dissatisfied with your parents part in it and that is why you had to leave Kamenlohn."
"Why didn't you say anything?" She asked.
"I was hoping you would say something first. Why didn't you?"
"Humans hate Klamon and those who would sympathize with them." She said flatly. "It's as true here in Ela'yas as it was in Kamenlohn. All that has happened just confirms it."
"People risked their lives to protect you, Sray. If that doesn't speak to the fact that not everyone feels that way and not everything confirms that thought, I don't know what would."
"How did they even learn it?"
"My father's family kept the language alive for generations. If there was any chance of reestablishing lasting peace, we had to be able to communicate with each other." It was the exact truth, if you didn't dig deep into the details. "He and his sister taught my mother and another, and between the four of them, they translated for both sides."
"And they in turn taught you and your siblings." He concluded.
"Yes," she reluctantly admitted.
"I don't see how that is anything to be ashamed of."
"I'm not ashamed," she said sharply, "never have been." She pressed her lips together and frowned. "I'm terrified of the consequences when people find out." She grabbed her left arm and felt the muscles in her upper arm flex against her grip and the interplay of the construct stitches in her flesh made her shudder slightly. She may have gotten used to working with them, but the feel of it inside her skin was still repulsive on an instinctive level that she had no control over.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"I'll be fine."
"I didn't think that was Kamenan. No wonder you were so mad at him."
"He should understand how dangerous that is, but I can't get it through his thick skull." She grumbled.
"He said it's harder for you. You remember more than he does, both the good and the bad of it."
"That's surprising insightful for Kallon."
"Sometimes he can be."
"Just one, last thing."
"What is that, Sray?"
"My father's name was Teigan. If you wouldn't even tell me what my mother said, I think I can trust you with that."
"I'm honored that you trust me with his name."